W4 Preview: Bonn Look To Bounce Back

Telekom Baskets coach Michael Koch is stressing the positives for his Bonn players after their brave but losing effort at home to Alba Berlin in a German league thriller over the weekend.

The Bonn club, which on Tuesday plays in the EuroChallenge Last 16 against Okapi Aalstar in Group J, went down in the waning seconds to Alba, 92-91.

Jared Jordan, the spectacular playmaker of Telekom Baskets who is averaging 11.4 points and a EuroChallenge best 9.1 assists, made a runner at the free-throw line for a 91-90 lead just five seconds from the end.

Pops Mensah-Bonsu and Besiktas Milangaz visit Pardubice, on Wednesday. With a road win they will all but secure a playoffs spot

But Alba's DeShaun Wood penetrated and scored with a dazzling lay-up just a second from the death for the decisive basket.

Bonn were able to inbound the ball to Chris Ensminger in the lane and their veteran had a good look at the basket but his eight-footer was off target.

"I am very happy with the performance of my team, except for a few moments in the last quarter when we played too wild," Koch said.

"We should build on this game despite the defeat."

Alba coach Gordon Herbert tipped his hat to Telekom Baskets.

"We have a lot of respect for Bonn," he said.

"They have the best transition team in the league and they're very difficult to stop when they get out in the open floor."

Herbert said the most important part of the contest had not been at the end with Wood's game-winner, but rather in the first quarter when his three Germany internationals entered the clash and stopped Bonn's momentum.

"I thought the big key was six to seven minutes into the first quarter when Heiko (Schaffartzik), Lucca Staiger and (33-year-old veteran) Sven Schultze came in," the Alba boss said.

"Bonn dominated the first six, seven minutes and those three guys came into the game and really competed.

Belgians Okapi gave themselves a shot of confidence by scraping a 67-65 victory at Optima Gent with Chris Copeland and Christopher Young pouring in 15 points apiece.

The other Group J game on Tuesday pits Elan Chalon against Szolnoki Olaj.

Steed Tchicamboud and Elan Chalon won't be short of confidence after a strong defensive performance in a 74-67 road win at Strasbourg in the LNB.

Tchicamboud had 15 points.

In Group I, Roanne Basket will attempt to hit back from their defeats at home to BK Ventspils in Europe and to Gravelines-Dunkerque.

With new man Rashad Wright in the line-up over the weekend, Roanne fell 71-66 to Gravelines despite getting 20 points from John Holland.

Roanne recently parted with point guard Andre Barrett, who was averaging 12.1 points and a team-high 5.8 assists.

They will be home to ZZ Leiden, 65-58 winners over Zwolle in the Dutch top flight.